Finding out that you have acid reflux problems can really put a crimp in your lifestyle. It can keep you from enjoying your meals, and it can keep you from enjoying your day period. Consider the following helpful advice concerning making sure you kick acid reflux to the curb and start enjoying life.
The most significant factor attributed with acid reflux is being overweight. Those who are obese are two times more likely to have GERD than someone who is at a healthy weight. The pressure on your stomach of all the extra pounds can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing acid to give you trouble.
The more fluid you drink during your meal, the more volume is placed in your stomach. This causes more distension in the stomach and adds pressure to the lower sphincter of the esophagus, creating the perfect condition for acid reflux. Try drinking between meals and drink water in small sips rather than big gulps.
Skinny jeans are the enemy of the acid reflux sufferer! Wearing tight clothes can block up your digestive system, causing you a great deal of pain when acid begins to back up. Go for elastic waistbands until you have your acid reflux under control, then you can consider getting back into your tight fitting pants.
Loosen up if you’ve been dealing with too much acid reflux. Your clothing, that is. Tight pants, close-fitting shirts or pantyhose can make symptoms of acid reflux much worse. If you can, put a robe on or other over-sized and very comfy clothes and take it easy. Your symptoms should at least be somewhat alleviated.
Drinking a large amount of liquid while eating can lead to acid reflux. You may not think about it, but liquids also add to the volume of food in your stomach. When the volume of food is too great, it overpowers your body’s resources to keep food in your stomach. Limit the amount of liquid you drink while eating, or only drink between meals.
If over the counter medicine isn’t giving you acid reflux relief, try pineapple for a more natural solution. Pineapple contains bromelain, which has been shown to lessen acid reflux symptoms. Bromelain is only present in fresh pineapple or fresh pineapple juice, however. Canned pineapple and store bought juices will not contain bromelain.
Engage in moderate, upright exercise, like taking a long walk. Walking, for example, can help improve symptoms in several ways. First, when you sit or stand upright, your stomach has an easier time digesting food. Next, you lose weight and reduce pressure on the stomach. You should definitely get moderate exercise in, but intense exercise might actually worsen your condition.
Try doing moderate exercise to alleviate acid reflux symptoms. It is important that this exercise be moderate. More vigorous exercises can actually complicate your acid reflux, so you need to do more moderate activities. Such exercises work to keep you in an upright position, allowing gravity to aid digestion. Besides, being more active will help you get in shape and reduce the pressure on your stomach.
See a doctor. Many people think that acid reflux is something that can be treated at home. While this is true to some extent, you may be missing out on valuable insight and effective treatment. There are many causes of acid reflux, and your doctor can help you identify the root of the problem and devise a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Beans are a food that can worsen acid reflux disease. Stomach acids form due to foods that are rough on the stomach and beans fall into this category. This tends to go for all kinds of beans, so as healthy as they may be, you may need to totally cut them out of your diet.
Pregnancy may cause acid reflux symptoms. More specifically, a link has been detected between pregnancy and chronic acid reflux. This generally stems from the fact that the weight of the baby is crowding the stomach area. Most of time, the acid reflux symptoms are relieved shortly after the baby has been delivered.
Make exercise a part of your healthy eating plan. Moderate exercise can facilitate the process involved in digesting your food properly, and it can also help you to lose excess pounds. Both of these things can have a positive effect on acid reflux problems. Make a point to work out at a moderate level at least three times a week for best results.
Avoid lying down after you eat for at least two hours. Instead, get up and walk around to help your digestive tract work properly. The first two hours after eating is the perfect time to do the dishes, clean the house and go for a walk. Additionally, if your acid reflux flares up while you sleep, use risers to slightly elevate the head of your bed to help avoid stomach acids from going into your esophagus.
Perhaps you now feel empowered with the tips and advice that have been given to you. It is time that you realized just how much of a difference a few changes can make. Acid reflux doesn’t have to dominate your life. Instead, use what you have read to take back control.
